JP2012521021A - Optical fiber polishing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A hand-held polishing apparatus for polishing an optical fiber connector is provided. An optical fiber connector attached to an end of an optical fiber includes a connector housing and a ferrule. The polishing apparatus has a connector mount for receiving and holding the optical connector such that the end surface of the ferrule is disposed adjacent to the polishing medium. The polishing apparatus includes a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion, a drive assembly, and a lubricant dispensing system. The drive assembly controls the orbital movement of the optical connector and the linear movement of the polishing medium through the polishing apparatus, and the lubricant distribution system lubricates from the internal reservoir located inside the housing to the polishing medium near the end face of the optical connector ferrule. Supply agent.
[Selection] Figure 1A

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical fiber polishing apparatus and method, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for polishing an optical fiber that is terminated and polished in the field.

  One of the main methods for connecting two or more optical fibers in the field of optical communication networks is an optical fiber connector. There are several types of optical fiber connectors, such as an adhesive ferrule connector that holds the fiber tip in a substantially fixed position with respect to the ferrule tip by fixing the fiber inside the ferrule through-hole with an adhesive. There are types. Another type of connector is a non-ferrule connector that produces contact force by buckling of a length of fiber. Another type of connector is a remote grip (ferrule-type) connector in which the fiber is fixed at a certain distance from the end or tip of the fiber.

  When installing a remote grip connector in the field, one of the current methods uses coplanar / flash polishing. In the remote grip connector, as with other types of connectors, optical loss is reduced and reflection is minimized when the ends of at least two optical fibers make reliable physical contact. However, a difference in the expansion coefficient between the fiber and the ferrule assembly can cause the fiber tip not to contact as the temperature increases or decreases. The resulting gaps can cause significant reflections. A conventional remote grip connector is described in US Pat. No. 5,408,558.

  In another current method, a technician performs on-site polishing to form a fiber end that projects beyond the ferrule tip. According to such a polishing method of the remote grip connector, various protrusions that provide reliable physical contact are formed without excessive force acting on the tip of the fiber. This method, when carefully performed, allows for sufficient physical contact between at least two fiber ends at temperatures in indoor applications (0 ° C. to 60 ° C.). However, field-terminated remote grip connectors polished by conventional methods may not be suitable for outdoor applications where temperature requirements are more stringent (−40 ° C. to 80 ° C.). Unacceptable optical losses include variability inherent in the in-situ polishing process, operator error, overpolishing (eg, excessive force, too many strokes, too coarse, clogged abrasives. Or the quality of the abrasive is poor), or when a different type of abrasive is substituted.

  The following references describe conventional devices for polishing optical fibers. US Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0139118 A1, US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0086251 A1, US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0119111 A1, US Pat. No. 3,975,865, US Pat. 178,722, US Pat. No. 4,291,502, US Pat. No. 4,979,334, US Pat. No. 5,007,209, US Pat. No. 5,185,966, US Pat. 216,846, US Pat. No. 5,349,784, and US Pat. No. 5,351,445.

  According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, a handheld polishing apparatus for polishing a fiber connector is provided. The optical fiber connector includes a connector housing and a ferrule. The optical connector is attached to the end of the optical fiber. The polishing apparatus includes a connector mount for receiving and holding the optical connector such that the end surface of the ferrule is disposed adjacent to the polishing medium. The polishing apparatus includes a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion, a drive assembly, and a lubricant dispensing system. The drive assembly controls the orbital movement of the optical connector and the linear movement of the polishing medium through the polishing apparatus, and the lubricant distribution system lubricates from the internal reservoir located inside the housing to the polishing medium near the end face of the optical connector ferrule. Supply agent.

  In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a handheld polishing apparatus for polishing an optical fiber connector using a tape-type polishing medium is provided. An optical fiber connector attached to an end of an optical fiber includes a connector housing and a ferrule. The polishing apparatus includes a connector mount for receiving and holding the optical connector such that the end surface of the ferrule is disposed adjacent to the tape-type polishing medium. The polishing apparatus includes a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion and a drive assembly. The drive assembly controls the orbital movement of the optical connector through the polishing apparatus and the linear movement of the tape-type polishing medium.

  According to another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a method for polishing an optical connector includes providing an optical fiber having a stripped end. An optical fiber is inserted through the connector body and the ferrule. The amount of protrusion of the fiber tip from the end face of the ferrule is set. An optical fiber is fixed in the optical connector. An optical connector is attached to the connector mount of the polishing apparatus. The polishing apparatus includes a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion, a drive assembly, and a lubricant dispensing system. The method further includes dispensing the lubricant using the lubricant dispensing system. Lubricant is supplied from an internal reservoir located within the housing to the polishing media near the end face of the optical connector ferrule. When the drive assembly is activated, polishing of the fiber tip protruding from the end face of the ferrule is started. The drive assembly controls the orbital movement of the optical connector through the polishing apparatus and the linear movement of the polishing medium to move the protruding fiber tip to a predetermined distance relative to the polishing medium. Further, the exposed fiber can be cleaved either before setting the fiber protrusion from the ferrule end face or after the fiber is secured in the optical connector.

  The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is an alternative isometric view of an exemplary polishing apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an alternative isometric view of an exemplary polishing apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 1B is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the exemplary polishing apparatus of FIG. 1A. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary polishing apparatus of FIG. 1A. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary polishing apparatus drive assembly in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating a connector retaining plate disposed within an upper portion of a housing of an exemplary polishing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention. 1 is a cut-away view of a media dispenser disposed within a bottom portion of an exemplary polishing apparatus housing according to an aspect of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing how the orbital movement of the connector holding plate produces a pivoting movement of the bell crank that moves the polishing medium in a linear direction. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing how the orbital movement of the connector holding plate produces a pivoting movement of the bell crank that moves the polishing medium in a linear direction. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing how the orbital movement of the connector holding plate produces a pivoting movement of the bell crank that moves the polishing medium in a linear direction. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing how the orbital movement of the connector holding plate produces a pivoting movement of the bell crank that moves the polishing medium in a linear direction. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary polishing pattern according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary optical connector that can be polished by an exemplary polishing apparatus of the present invention. FIG.

  Various modifications and alternative forms of the present invention are possible, and specific examples thereof are shown in the drawings as examples and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

  In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “front”, “front”, “droop” are used with respect to the orientation of the described figures. Since components of embodiments of the present invention can be arranged in many different directions, the directional terms are used for purposes of explanation and are in no way limiting. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for polishing an optical fiber that is terminated in an optical fiber connector. As described herein, a simple method of in-situ polishing and assembly of an optical connector can provide consistent and repeatable results, and the level of operator skill compared to conventional in-situ polishing methods. Can be substantially reduced, and the installation cost of the connector can be reduced. In a preferred embodiment, the polishing apparatus can be a lightweight, hand-held mechanical device that is manually operated in the field.

  1A and 1B show an exemplary polishing apparatus 100. The polishing apparatus 100 includes a connector mount 120 and an elongated housing 110 having a bottom portion 114 and a top portion 112 that fits comfortably in one hand during the polishing process. Within the housing, the polishing apparatus includes a drive assembly 150, a lubricant dispensing system 130, and a media dispenser 140 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

  The upper and lower portions of the housing can be connected to each other by known mechanical means such as mechanical fasteners, latches or clips. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the upper portion 112 and the lower portion 114 of the housing are threaded sockets on the bottom portion 114 of the housing through tabs 112a extending from the upper portion 112 of the housing 110. The four screws (not shown) can be coupled into 114 and the tab 112a and the threaded socket 114a are aligned when assembled together. In addition, the upper part and the lower part are hinged at the rear to facilitate the exchange of the polishing media and reduce the number of mechanical fasteners that hold the upper part of the housing and the lower part of the housing together. Is possible.

  The housing 110 of the polishing apparatus can be formed of a rigid material such as metal or a molded polymer (eg, glass or mineral-filled plastic). In a preferred embodiment, the device 100 is lightweight (eg, less than 1 pound (454 g), more preferably less than 0.5 pound (227 g)) and can be securely held in one hand during operation.

  In use, the connector 10 is inserted into the connector mount 120 of the polishing apparatus. Lubricant supplied from the internal reservoir 132 by the lubricant dispensing system 130 is applied to the polishing media 142 near the connector tip. Actuation of the drive assembly 150 can cause a polishing motion that is used to polish the end face of the fiber held by the optical connector 10. As shown in FIG. 7, the pattern of polishing motion 199 is such that the optical connector moves in a circular orbit represented by arrow 199a while the polishing medium 142 moves in a substantially linear motion as represented by arrow 199b. It is.

  2-4, the drive assembly 150 is responsible for controlling the orbital motion of the optical connector and the linear motion of the polishing media during the polishing operation. The drive assembly 150 can be disposed within the upper portion 112 of the housing 110. The upper part of the housing can be divided into two chambers 115a and 115b by a support wall 112c. The first chamber 115a has a lid or cover 112b so that the first chamber 115a can be accessed to install and / or maintain the components of the drive assembly housed within the first chamber 115a. It has become.

  In one exemplary embodiment, the power to drive the polishing mechanism can be provided by pulling on a string 151 attached to the drive assembly 150. The string 151 is wrapped around a spool 152 inside the drive assembly that is attached to the first one-way drive plate 153. A flat spiral spring not shown in the figure rewinds around the spool in preparation for the next polishing action when the user releases the tension applied to the spring.

  During assembly, the wedge-shaped protrusion 153a (FIG. 3) on the first one-way drive plate 153 meshes with the wedge-shaped protrusion 154a on the second one-way drive plate 154. Since the driving device is attached to the support wall 112c inside the upper portion 112 of the polishing device housing 114, when the string 151 is pulled, the second driving plate 154 and the driving shaft 155 rotate. When the string tension is released, the combined wedge-shaped projections 153a, 154a of the first and second drive plates 153, 154 slide relative to each other. For this reason, the second drive plate and the drive shaft do not rotate in the reverse direction when the spring is released.

  The drive shaft 155 passes through the support wall 112c and is connected to the central gear 156c of the three gear sets 156 on the spot. The three gear sets 156 include a central gear 156c, a first side gear 156a disposed on one side of the central gear, and a second disposed on the second side of the central gear opposite to the first gear. Side gear 156b. In one exemplary embodiment, the first side gear 156a and the second side gear 156b are the same size and rotate at the same time as the central gear 156c rotates. Each of the first and second side gears has eccentric stubs 157a and 157b protruding from the lower surface of the side gear, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 3. These protrusions 157a and 157b are fitted in the receiving holes 161a and 161b of the connector holding plate 160, and move the connector mount 120 placed on the connector holding plate so as to orbit. In one exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the orbital motion is about 0.5 inches (1.27 cm).

  As the movement of the connector holding plate 160 activates the media dispenser 140, the abrasive media 142 is metered out of control from the storage roll 142a. The media dispenser 140 can be disposed within the bottom portion 114 of the polisher housing 110 and dispenses the polishing media 142 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The media dispenser 140 may have a storage portion 141 that contains or supports a roll 142 a of the polishing media 142. The polishing apparatus can also be configured to incorporate a strip of disposable polishing media.

  Referring to FIG. 2A, the polishing media 142 can be in the form of strips. Since the strip is in the form of a roll 142a, the polishing operation can be repeated many times before the roll needs to be replaced. Alternatively, the polishing media consists of disposable strips that need to be replaced each time a new connector is polished. In order to simplify the exchange of the polishing media, the roll of polishing media can also be held in a disposable container. The abrasive medium may comprise an abrasive having a grit size of about 0.02 μm to about 2 μm formed on the backing. The polishing medium also includes a first course abrasive for performing coarse polishing and a second finer abrasive for performing final polishing, each occupying a specific portion of the polishing medium. Can be included. The polishing media selected can depend on many factors, including the application in which the connector is used, the type of finish required, and the type of connector being polished. A multimode connector generally used in a local area network can use one type of medium such as 2 μm aluminum oxide. More stringent single mode connectors may require finer grit sizes or even multiple grit size abrasives to obtain the required finish at the end of the fiber. The backing can be formed of a polymer film material such as paper or a polyester film. For example, the polyester film may have a thickness of about 3 mils (0.08 mm). An exemplary single mode polishing process is 0.02 μm on a 3 mil (0.08 mm) polyester film (863XW 3M ™ Final Polish sold by 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn.). 0 on silicon dioxide abrasive or 3 mil (0.08 mm) polyester film (263XW 3M ™ Lapping Film AO Type P, also sold by 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn.). A 05 μm aluminum oxide abrasive can be used. An exemplary multi-mode polishing process is a 2 mil (0.05 mm) polyester film backing (254X 3M ™ Lapping Film AO Type R3 sold by 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn.). The above 2 μm aluminum oxide abrasive can be used.

  The roll of abrasive media can be exchanged by separating the top portion 112 and the bottom portion 114 of the housing 110. The used disposable container can be removed from the media dispenser 140 and replaced with a new container containing a suitable roll 142a of abrasive media 142. After the length of polishing media 142 is withdrawn from the new container and passed over the spring loaded pressure plate assembly 149, the top portion 112 and the bottom portion 114 of the housing 110 may be reassembled.

  The connector plate 160 interacts with the tabs 143a and 143b on both sides of the bell crank 143, thereby turning the bell crank back and forth as shown in FIGS. The bell crank 143 is pivotally attached to the lower portion 114 of the housing 110 by a pin 145. A pawl 146 is attached to the bell crank 143 at points 146 a and 146 b on both sides of the bell crank 143. As the bell crank pivots to one side, one pawl 146 is pushed forward while the other is pulled rearward. When the pawl 146 is pulled rearward, the hook 146 c at the pawl end meshes with the teeth of the ratchet 147 a on the side surface of the lower nip roller 147, so that the polishing medium 142 is moved into the lower nip roller 147 and the upper portion of the housing 110. When squeezed between the upper nip roller 147b (FIG. 2A) mounted in 112, it is measured in the direction 148. When the bell crank turns in the opposite direction, the front pawl moves backward and the rear pawl on the opposite side of the bell crank moves forward.

  6A to 6D are diagrams showing in more detail how the movement of the connector holding plate 160 causes the bell crank 143 to pivot left and right. FIG. 6A shows the connector holding plate positioned at any central front position relative to the housing 110. As the gear set (not shown) rotates, the connector retaining plate 160 can move in a clockwise trajectory as shown by the trajectory of the polishing pattern 199 shown in FIG. When the connector plate rotates to the 3 o'clock position (FIG. 6B), the connector holding plate 160 contacts a tab 143b extending from one arm 143c of the bell crank 143, causing the bell crank 143 to pivot in the direction 144b. As the connector holding plate 160 continues its movement through the 6 o'clock position (FIG. 6C) to the 9 o'clock position (FIG. 6D), the connector holding plate 160 extends from the second arm 143d of the bell crank 143. Contacting the tab 143a causes the bell crank 143 to pivot in the direction 144a. The movement of the bell crank back and forth causes controlled polishing of the polishing medium as described above.

  During polishing, the polishing media 142 is supported by the spring loaded pressure plate assembly 149 (FIG. 2A) to ensure proper contact force between the end of the optical fiber and the polishing media.

  The spring loaded pressure plate assembly includes a flexible layer 149a, a floating rigid base plate 149b, a hollow support shaft 149e, a solid support shaft 149c and a spring 149d. One end of the hollow support shaft 149e (1493) is fixedly attached to the rigid base plate 149b, while the other end of the hollow support shaft 149e is fixedly attached to the bottom portion 114 of the polishing apparatus housing 110. It is placed on the actual support shaft 149c. Since the outer diameter of the solid support shaft 149c is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow support shaft 149e, the hollow support shaft 149e, and thus the rest of the spring loaded pressure plate assembly 149, moves the solid support shaft 149c up and down. Can slide in a nested manner. The spring 149d is sized to fit snugly into both the support shafts 149c and 149e, and each end thereof is constrained against the rigid base plate 149b and the bottom portion 114, thereby causing the spring loaded pressure plate assembly 149 to move. Give pressure to lift. The compliant layer 149a may be comprised of a relatively hard material (eg, having a Shore A hardness of about 60 to about 80, preferably a Shore A hardness of about 70). While the spring force of the spring 149d provides overall compliance to the spring loaded pressure plate assembly 149, the flexible layer 149a provides adequate support to the polishing media 142.

  In a further exemplary aspect, a suitable contact force applied to the fiber tip to be polished is about 100 gram weight (0.98 N) to about 150 gram weight, depending on the length of the protruding fiber and the polishing media. (1.47N), preferably about 130 gram weight (1.27N). A combination of contact force, flexibility of the spring loaded pressure plate assembly 149, and ferrule tip shape cooperate to help provide the desired shape to the fiber surface to be polished.

  A further feature of the dispenser system 140 is a cutting blade 197 provided on the polishing apparatus (see FIG. 2A). The cutting blade 197 cuts out used parts of the polishing medium during the polishing operation.

  A further feature of the exemplary polishing system is an integral lubricant distribution system 130 housed within the polishing apparatus. Lubricant distribution system 130 may supply lubricant (not shown) to polishing media 142 near the tip of the ferrule of the optical connector. Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 4, the lubricant dispensing system 130 includes a reservoir 132 for maintaining a predetermined supply of desired lubricant, a flexible tube for directing lubricant from the reservoir to the polishing media 142. 133 and a pump 134 for supplying lubricant. In one exemplary embodiment, the reservoir 132 may be located at the rear of the bottom portion 114 of the device housing 110. In one exemplary embodiment, the pump 134 can be a small positive displacement pump such as a manual diaphragm pump, a priming pump, a plunger pump. For example, FIG. 2B shows a spherical priming pump 134 disposed in the polishing apparatus 100. To use, the operator pushes the outer flexible bulb 134 outside the device. As the bulb 134a is compressed, the lubricant moves through the supply tube 134b and from the reservoir 132 to the polishing region through the flexible tube 133. Lubricant flows out of flexible tube 133 through opening 165 (see FIG. 4) and fills liquid distribution passage 166 adjacent to ferrule end face 15. The reservoir 132 has an inlet plugged with a filling plug 135 on the wall of the reservoir, so that the reservoir can be easily filled with a lubricant. In one exemplary aspect, the lubricant may include deionized water or another conventional polishing liquid.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the connector mount 120 is disposed on the connector holding plate 160. The connector mount 120 is configured to receive the optical fiber connector 10 therein. As described in more detail below, once the fiber optic connector is fully attached to the connector mount 120, the protruding fiber tip is activated by actuating a drive assembly that controls the polishing pattern followed by the ferrule tip on the polishing media. Can be polished.

  Connector mount 120 is configured to receive a conventional optical fiber connector such as an SC, LC, ST, FC or MT connector. For example, a conventional connector can include a remote grip connector 10 (see FIG. 8). Such a connector 10 is described in detail in US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0226236, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The exemplary connector 10 includes a fiber connector housing 312 and includes an optical fiber that is terminated in a connector ferrule 332. When the fiber optic connector 10 is attached to the connector mount 120, its attachment causes the ferrule surface 15 and the protruding fiber tip (not shown) to a polishing media 142 supported by a spring loaded pressure plate assembly 149. It is comprised so that it may adjoin. Connector mount 120 also reduces potential movement caused by unintended forces on the fiber cable or connector components by locking the connector in place. An exemplary connector 10 and the structure of the polishing operation are described in more detail below. The optical cable may be a conventional cable, such as 250 μm or 900 μm buffer coated fiber, Kevlar reinforcement coated fiber, or other sheathed fiber and reinforcing fiber.

  In another embodiment, the conventional connector 10 is a Crimpok ™ connector sold by 3M Company (St. Paul, Minn.), From 3M Company (St. Paul, Minn.). The 3M ™ 8300 Hot Melt SC connector sold or the 3M ™ 8206 FC / APC connector (epoxy) may be mentioned. In one exemplary aspect, the connector 10 may have an SC format. In other aspects, the polishing apparatus can be configured to accept another standard connector type, such as an LC type or an FC type. In yet another aspect, the connector mount 120 can be configured to receive a connector having multiple fibers, such as an MT fiber connector.

  The connector mount 120 is configured to releasably hold and secure the optical fiber connector 10 and to provide a sliding fit that holds the connector 10 by, for example, a snap fit. It is preferable that the connector 10 can be held at a predetermined angle by the connector mount 120. For example, the connector mount 120 performs planar polishing (0 °) where the polishing medium is perpendicular to the axial direction of the fiber, or a predetermined small angle from the vertical to produce a connector polished at a constant angle. It is possible to hold the connector 10 so as to perform oblique polishing that forms (about 2 ° to about 12 °).

  In an alternative aspect, instead of lacing the drive assembly, a crank or rotation knob can be used. However, in another alternative, an electric motor, at least one battery, and a control circuit can be used in place of the manual drive assembly of the polishing apparatus. The electric motor controls the movement of the connector plate and the movement of the polishing media during operation in a manner similar to that described above.

  Advantageously, the apparatus 100 provides consistent and reproducible polishing results and can greatly reduce the tendency to depend on operator skill. By incorporating a lubricant dispensing system, the need for an external lubricant source is eliminated. In addition, the tape-type polishing media saves time and simplifies the polishing process because the polishing device can hold enough media to polish a plurality of optical connectors before the media roll needs to be replaced. .

  One exemplary method of the present invention provides a reproducible process that can provide reproducible in-situ polishing or fiber optic connectors. Specifically, one or more in-situ optical fiber connectors can be easily obtained by using the following method. In one exemplary aspect, the entire process includes a fiber cable stripping and cleaving step, a fiber protrusion setting step (distance between the fiber tip and the ferrule end face), and a fiber tip polishing step. . After polishing, the fiber tip can be cleaned.

  More specifically, the fiber cable is passed through a strain relief boot (see FIG. 8, boot 380) to which a remote grip type optical connector is attached. For thicker fiber jackets (eg, 900 μm fiber), the fiber may be passed through a further crimp sleeve (not shown) prior to polishing. Prior to the cleavage step, the connector 10 can be secured to an installation tool or other holder. A suitable length of fiber optic cable can be prepared by removing the cable jacket at the end portion (eg, about 6 mm). A conventional fiber cable stripping device is then used to strip the buffer coating so that the fiber buffer coating extends about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) beyond the cable jacket. The exposed glass tip can be cleaned using an alcohol (or other conventional cleaner) wipe.

  The fiber can be placed in a field cleaving device, such as the cleaving device described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2008/100768, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, a cleaving operation using a diamond-coated wire can be performed using such a field cleaving device. The cleavage device can form a fiber tip having a cleavage angle of 0 ° to about 3.5 ° from the vertical.

  Next, the cleaved fiber is transferred to a protrusion setting mechanism that sets a distance at which the tip of the fiber protrudes from the end face of the ferrule. In this process, the fiber can be guided into the remaining connector components until the tip of the fiber protrudes from the end of the ferrule. In an exemplary embodiment, the protrusion setting mechanism includes a setting jig having a ferrule-type end portion on which a fixed step is formed. The setting jig is brought into contact with the connector 10 such that the end portion of the setting jig where the step is formed contacts the end portion of the connector ferrule. In this process, an appropriate protruding distance is set so that the contact between the fiber and the setting jig is reliably maintained by a slight bow of the fiber. A sufficient protrusion may be from about 15 μm to about 35 μm, with a preferred protrusion being about 25 μm. In the remote grip connector, an actuator cap is then used to actuate the gripping element to fix the fiber position. In addition, buffer strain relief is activated using the buffer clamp portion of connector 10. Optionally, when used, the fiber cable can be secured in place after setting the fiber protrusion by compressing the crimp sleeve around the fiber jacket using a crimp tool.

  In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the optical fiber is exposed after fixing the optical fiber in an optical connector, such as a Crimplok ™ connector sold by 3M Company (St. Paul, Minn.). The cleaved end can be cleaved.

  As a result, the connector 10 is ready for polishing and can be inserted into the connector mount 120 of the polishing apparatus 100. A compressible disposed on the polishing apparatus 100 such that the pump supplies lubricant from the reservoir 132 to the polishing media through an opening 165 (FIG. 4) in the connector holding plate 160 near the ferrule end face 15 of the connector 10. Abrasive media (863XW 3M ™ Final Polish sold by 3M Company (St. Paul, Minn.)) By pressing spherical portion 134a (FIG. 2B), such as deionized water or other Conventional polishing liquid).

  The operator can operate the polishing apparatus by pulling the end pull cord 151. Advantageously, the pull string has a knob 151a or other retaining element at one end to facilitate gripping the string during operation of the polishing apparatus. This action activates the drive assembly 150, which causes the polishing media to move in a linear direction at the same time as the connector retaining plate 160 moves to make orbital motion. This process can be repeated if further polishing is required. The degree of polishing required will determine the number of actuation steps required to complete the polishing operation. Determining the degree of polishing required requires consideration of factors such as the type of polishing media, the connector type, and the application.

  The exemplary embodiments described above can simplify the in-situ polishing process while controlling multiple sources of variability that previously led to work that is dependent on proficiency. For example, a general “air polishing” operation of starting in-situ polishing in a state where the abrasive is held in air (without any controlled supporting force acting) can be omitted. In addition, the on-site engineer needs to consider the polishing power or polishing distance (eg (8's) size and shape of FIG. 8 traced on the polishing medium). The polishing apparatus may be a simple manual tool that does not require a motor or power supply. Certain connectors as described above require only one polishing step.

  The present invention should not be considered limited to the specific embodiments described above, but should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention as properly described in the appended claims. It is. Various modifications, equivalent processes, and many structures to which the present invention can be applied will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present invention is directed by reference to the present specification. The “claims” are intended to cover such modifications and devices.

Claims (17)

A hand-held polishing apparatus for polishing an optical fiber connector comprising a connector housing and a ferrule,
A connector mount for receiving and holding the optical connector attached to an end of an optical fiber, wherein the end surface of the ferrule is adjacent to a polishing medium;
A housing having a top portion and a bottom portion;
A drive assembly for controlling the orbital movement of the optical connector through the polishing apparatus and the linear movement of the polishing medium;
And a lubricant dispensing system for supplying a lubricant from an internal reservoir disposed within the housing to the polishing medium near the end face of the ferrule of the optical connector.   The polishing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a spring-loaded pressure plate assembly that provides a contact force between the polishing medium and a distal end of the optical fiber when the optical connector is disposed in the connector mount. .   The polishing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a polishing medium dispenser disposed inside the housing for accommodating a predetermined supply amount of a tape-type polishing medium.   The polishing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact force is about 100 gram weight (0.98N) to about 150 gram weight (1.47N).   The polishing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connector is held in the connector mount at a predetermined angle so as to provide one of planar polishing and oblique polishing perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fiber.   The polishing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the oblique polishing has an angle of about 2 ° to about 12 ° from vertical.   The polishing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drive assembly is operable by a string, and pulling the string causes the optical connector to follow a known length of polishing pattern relative to the polishing medium.   The polishing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber connector is a multi-fiber optical fiber connector.   The polishing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drive assembly comprises an electric motor, at least one battery, and a control circuit. A hand-held polishing apparatus for polishing an optical fiber connector comprising a connector housing and a ferrule,
A housing having a top portion and a bottom portion;
A connector mount that is disposed inside the housing and receives and holds an optical connector attached to an end of an optical fiber, wherein the end surface of the ferrule is adjacent to a tape-type polishing medium; and
A polishing apparatus comprising: a drive assembly for controlling an orbital motion of the optical connector and a linear motion of the polishing medium through the polishing device.   The polishing of claim 10, further comprising a lubricant dispensing system for supplying lubricant from an internal reservoir disposed within the housing to the polishing media near the end surface of the ferrule of the optical connector. apparatus.   The polishing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the connector is held in the connector mount at a predetermined angle so as to provide one of planar polishing and oblique polishing perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fiber. A method for polishing an optical fiber connector comprising:
Providing an optical fiber having a stripped end;
Inserting the fiber through a connector body and a ferrule;
Setting the amount of protrusion of the end of the fiber from the end face of the ferrule;
Fixing the optical fiber in the optical connector;
A step of attaching the optical fiber connector to a connector mount portion of a polishing apparatus, wherein the polishing apparatus includes a housing having an upper portion and a bottom portion, an orbital motion of the optical connector via the polishing device, and a polishing medium. A fiber optic connector mounting process comprising a drive assembly for controlling linear motion and a lubricant distribution system;
A lubricant dispensing process using the lubricant dispensing system, wherein the lubricant is supplied from an internal reservoir located within the housing to the polishing media near the end face of the ferrule of the optical connector. A lubricant dispensing process,
Actuating the drive assembly to polish the tip of the fiber protruding from the end face of the ferrule.   The method of claim 13, further comprising cleaving the exposed end of the optical fiber before setting the protrusion amount.   The method of claim 13, further comprising cleaving an exposed end of the optical fiber after the optical fiber is secured in the optical connector.   The method of claim 13, wherein the step of dispensing the lubricant comprises pushing an external flexible bulb to move the lubricant from the reservoir.   The method of claim 13, wherein the actuating the drive assembly comprises pulling a string to actuate the drive assembly.

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